Show Transcript: You are listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. We exist to empower the voices of women who live their lives #BloomingAlive through Podcast Community. Now, here is your host. Blooming Inspired Podcast equipping and empowering the voices of women who live their lives Blooming Alive. This week Michelle continues her very personal series about Mirror Moments with God where she found the courage to receive His forgiveness, trust His love and walk in who He created and redeemed her to be. Introduction Greetings to God’s Beautiful Wildflowers! This is Michelle Bentham, host of Blooming Inspired Podcast. Last week I began sharing my mirror moments testimony here on the podcast. As I shared last week, Embracing Identity is a core value here at Blooming Inspired Network. In my own experiences I’ve found spiritual identity is not at all about discovering who YOU are in Christ, but rather settling your heart in intimacy to know Him - just Him - discovering who He is and how He wants to express Himself through you. Last week I shared the messier parts of my testimony and how God used these practical mirror moments to reveal not only His heart for me, but also to help me embrace my identity and who He says I am. Today I’ll share a final mirror moment in the context of the story of a biblical woman. As I share with you today, I want to encourage you to put yourself in today’s passage as we look at the adulterous woman who was cast at Jesus feet for judgment and found herself receiving mercy instead. Let’s Pray, Father God, I ask that You would give each person within the sound of my voice eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to know you more. I pray that we would be able to step into the story and find you there, meeting with us and speaking to our hearts personally - up close. I ask Lord for you to allow us to encounter you and realize the truths revealed for ourselves today! Show us Your Glory Lord! I ask these things in Jesus’ Holy Name, AMEN. Would you allow your heart to engage with Jesus and settle on Him today? Last week I shared that somehow in leading women’s Bible study I missed the idea of God taking my confession of sin and cleansing me of all unrighteousness. So as we begin today I want to turn to a familiar passage of scripture and begin with an encounter activation today. Rather than turn in your Bible’s I want to encourage you to do something completely different. Today, I want you to get in a comfortable position sitting in a comfy chair or your couch. If you can do so safely of course… Please don’t do this next part if you are driving in your car… But, now I’d encourage you - let your shoulders drop back, close your eyes and let whatever cares you are holding onto go. Now, take a few deep breaths (in through your nose, out through your mouth), and as you do I want you to think about the place in your body you are most aware of the presence of God when He shows up. Once you have settled on where you are most aware of GOd’s presence, I want you to focus from that place of awareness on who you know Jesus to be from Scripture. What do you know about Him to be true? And when you have that place of awareness, I’ll call it your heart, when you have your heart set on Jesus then join me in the reading. Lord, come and meet with your children today. We ask you to come and introduce yourself to us in real and tangible ways. Thank you Lord, for your goodness and grace today. If you remember, last week I shared that I had a moment when God woke me from my sleep and had me recall all of the unconfessed sins I had committed. And as I confessed them to Him, grieved over what they had cost Him… He gave me His perspective of me in exchange - “Look what a mess you made out of the beauty I created.” I feel sure some of you need to encounter the Lord’s goodness much the same way I did that night. If, at any time during the reading God begins to speak to you, stay with Him. Otherwise, join me as we place ourselves into this story found in the Gospel of John. Today’s reading is in John 8:1-11 and I’ll be reading from The Passion Translation: Let me set the stage for you - women in Jesus’ time where considered more property than precious gift. Men often married them when they were very young and the women had taken to sewing their valuables into their garments and braiding their jewelry into their hair so that if their husband came home one day and said, “I divorce you. I divorce you. I divorce you.” they would not be found destitute. A woman in this situation without means could not return to her family, for she is disgraced. An adulteress by law since she is now divorced. She has no choice in order to survive she would have to do one of two things, 1) choose to live with a man unmarried, or 2) prostitute herself to make a living. The law found in the Deuteronomic Code prescribed that both a woman and a man caught in adultery should be stoned to death. But, in this narrative we find that the pharisees only brought the woman to Jesus. Now, Let’s Begin: Verse 1-3: Jesus walked up the Mount of Olives near the city where he spent the night. Then at dawn Jesus appeared in the temple courts again, and soon all the people gathered around to listen to his words, so he sat down and taught them. Then in the middle of his teaching, the religious scholars and the Pharisees broke through the crowd and brought a woman who had been caught in the act of committing adultery and made her stand in the middle of everyone. Can you picture this woman with me for a moment? She was likely in some state of undress - perhaps even naked. She may be crying, trembling and fearful of the men who are dragging her through the street. Her tears mingling with the dirt being stirred as she is escorted to the temple steps where this angry, pious group of men cast her down at Jesus’ feet. Can you see her? Defeated. Broken. Ashamed. Fearful. Weeping. Crying out, perhaps. Cowering at the feet of Jesus. Not even daring to look up. Now that you see her, could you be her? Could you be the woman caught in a trap of sin - suddenly exposed, found out and cast at the feet of Jesus? How are you feeling? What are you thinking? Maybe your sin isn’t adultery, but the wages of sin is death - and we all have sinned. Verse 4-6 Then they said to Jesus, “Teacher, we caught this woman in the very act of adultery. Doesn’t Moses’ law command us to stone to death a woman like this? Tell us, what do you say we should do with her?” They were only testing Jesus because they hoped to trap him with his own words and accuse him of breaking the laws of Moses. But Jesus didn’t answer them. Instead he simply bent down and wrote in the dust with his finger. Can you hear their voices? Accusing you. Shaming you. Demanding judgment and an answer. You know what’s coming - first one, then another - they’ll soon begin casting their stones of judgment beyond these words. Caught in the act - they said. The Punishment is Death. What have I done? Oh Lord… Please. Help me. Your thoughts must be racing, pounding out a rhythm of panic with each beat of your heart. Suddenly you sense His presence, low to the ground. What is He doing? He’s writing something with His finger in the dirt. I could throw myself at His feet and beg for mercy… But, that won’t do any good. I deserve this. I was caught in the act. Two or three witnesses - I heard him say it. Verses 7-8: Angry, they kept insisting that he answer their question, so Jesus stood up and looked at them and said, “Let’s have the man who has never had a sinful desire throw the first stone at her.” And then he bent over again and wrote some more words in the dust. Can you hear His voice speaking to the men who accuse you? Did He just give them permission to stone me? They are the Pharisees. Surely none of them even thinks about sinning… Well, except that one who comes to see me a few times a week… Suddenly you hear it… and with each sound you cry out and flinch again and again - weeping uncontrollably as they fall - THUD. THUD. THUD…. One by one the rocks begin to fall. Verses : Upon hearing that, her accusers slowly left the crowd one at a time, beginning with the oldest to the youngest, with a convicted conscience. Suddenly, you realize that the rocks are not hitting you at all, but wait… What is happening? Can you enter into this moment with this woman? Can you be her? Can you see her? Can you experience this with her? Verse 10: Until finally, Jesus was left alone with the woman still standing there in front of him. So he stood back up and said to her, “Dear woman, where are your accusers? Is there no one here to condemn you?” Can you see her? She is still cowering, sobbing, weeping as she realizes she is not going to die today. They didn’t stone me! What is happening? Why did they leave… You lift your head and see that the men who accused you have all left. The rocks haphazardly creating a circle surrounding you and this man, Jesus. So many follow Him… You finally lift your head fully and… Verse 11: Looking around, she replied, “I see no one, Lord.” NO ONE LORD! NO ONE! NO ONE ACCUSES ME! Then you feel it the relief bubbling up and turning to joy. Now you’re laughing through your tears. He offers you His hand, He pulls you up to stand. He takes off His robe and wraps it around your naked body, covering your shame. You slip your arms into its swallowing sleeves. You pull it tight around you. And that is when He places his hand on each side of your face and pulls your eyes up to meet His own. What do you see in His eyes? Jesus said, “Then I certainly don’t condemn you either. Go, and from now on, be free from a life of sin.” At this point can you see Him there holding your face in His hands as the lifter of your head and encouraging you to go and live your life free of this sin that so easily entangled you. Can you see her? Can you be her? Redeemed, Forgiven and Released. I shared about that moment when I walked into the bathroom and I felt that He told me I was beautiful. Today, I want to share a bit more of my mirror moments story from a time when I had to forgive betrayal and learn to let God tend my heart. Last week I spent time bragging on my husband, #TheFisherman, and how precious he is to me. And boy, is he. But we’ve been through it. And though most of our relationship I’ve been making messes and he’s been there to help me clean up afterwards… There was a time about 11 years ago that he hurt me, and I had to walk on the other side of this conversation. During our recovery I asked my husband for permission to share our story if it could help others who may find themselves in a similar situation. He gave me his permission. In 2008, right after Christmas, I learned my husband had become involved in an emotional affair with a woman he met playing an online video game. My heart was broken, but my resolve to save my marriage strong, and if I am honest - I had neglected him in those three years before after my son passed away and we walked out unimaginable pain as a family. And that affair hit me right in the love languages - if you catch what I am saying. Meaning my top two love languages are quality time and words of affirmation. He had been giving exactly what I need to another woman, a virtual stranger, for six months while my needs for emotional intimacy and quality time went unmet. It was not easy to overcome that kind of betrayal for me - and beside my child dying this would have been my #2 confessed fear - my husband choosing someone else over me. As we both determined to focus on our marriage and begin to date again while figuring out how to overcome the wounds we both carried from our first decade of marriage - I found myself home alone during the day and processing the pain I felt with God throughout the day. Our lead pastor at church had shared in a series one time that in the morning we should worship God in our quiet time, and if you are not quite sure what to sing, just sing the song that is playing in your heart. One particular morning a few weeks after discovering the affair, I was cleaning my bathroom and found myself standing in front of the bathroom mirror humming a familiar tune from my younger days. The song playing in stereo in my head. The greatest love of all is happening to me, learning to love yourself - it is the greatest love of all… Whitney Houston’s exquisite voice singing the song in the recesses of my mind. After several minutes of singing the song while I cleaned the large plate glass mirror above our double sink vanity, I finally stopped and dropped the paper towels on the cabinet. “God! Why is that the song in my heart today?” He waited a beat or two and then I heard what I have come to know as His voice in my thoughts as He said, “Because I am the greatest love of all, and when my perfect love happens to you - you learn to love yourself.” You see, Jesus said in the Gospels that the first commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and the second is like it - it is learning to love your neighbor as yourself. As I stood staring at my face in that mirror, the tears began to fall again as I realized God had once again brought me to His truth in the sweetest way. 1 John 3 & 4 tells us that God not only loves us, but He is love. Perfect Love. And that love casts out fear - including worries, anxieties and insecurities. For me, the journey of learning to love myself would take me a decade. And as I have learned to love myself, I have learned to see myself from His perspective and to recognize I was created by love, made in the image of love so that I may be a full expression of His Love to the world around me. He is so good. Next week I will conclude this message series with a final testimony of how I came to realize that though I had found myself in Love, I still had not fully embraced my identity in Christ. Tune in to here more of the story next Friday as we continue to embrace identity, encourage passion, equip purpose and empower calling at Blooming Inspired Podcast. Closing Remarks That’s all the time we have for today! Thank you for tuning in with us. I pray the Lord met you through these words today. That His grace and love permeated your heart and mind in such a way that you were changed by an encounter of His presence through His Word. #TheGospels #VerseByVerse Bible Study focusing on the Book Of John begins November 14, 2020 right here in Granbury, TX. This season we will spend around 20 weeks reading verse by verse through the Gospel of John asking ourselves the question, “What would I believe about God, Myself, Others and What is Possible if I only had the Scriptures to inform my faith?” We will be meeting each Saturday morning from 10am to 12 pm (CT) at the Five Crowns International Ministries Offices at 2201 Commercial Lane in Granbury. For more information or to register for this season of Bible study please visit bloominginspirednetwork.com/calendar and select the 11/14 link for Bible study. Cannot wait to read through the last of our four Gospels with you Verse By Verse! If you’d like to be a guest on this show or get more information about hosting your own podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network - please reach out to me by visiting bloominginspirednetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page or [email protected]. I’d love the opportunity to connect with you and figure out how we can share your voice with the world around us. If you need encouragement of any kind, prayer or would just like to stay connected with us here at Blooming Inspired Network, please reach out by visiting us on Facebook, @BloomingInspired or bloominginspirednetwork.com and click the Direct Message or Contact link at the top of the page. We’d love to join hands with you in this season and lift you up. We’d love to partner with you in sharing messages that encourage and inspire other women to live their lives blooming alive! If you’d like to get this podcast delivered to your smart device, we're available on both Apple and Google Podcasts - take a moment to Subscribe and leave a review today! Speaking of partnering… Blooming Inspired Network is working with an up and coming ministry called Women of Verve. I began a little more than a year ago to walk with my friend, Melissa, as she birthed this idea of doing a community based outreach to women through retreats and Bible studies. In June we hosted 24 women and 4 leaders for a life-changing weekend away at MO Ranch in Hunt, TX. As we did the community of women we served has rallied! We are meeting in early November for a Brunch and time of fellowship with some light teaching. Be Sure to Follow @WomenOfVerve on Facebook or you can learn more by looking us up at facebook.com/WomenOfVerve and if you’d like to join us for our 2021 retreat July 23-25th you may visit womenofverve.com for more information and to reserve your spot! Space is limited so sign up today! Mark Your Calendars Be sure to tune into our Network’s weekly shows featuring these women who are living their lives Blooming Alive! Wednesdays | Jennifer Eikenhorst is bringing hope and building community with Accidental Hope Podcast. You can learn more about Jennifer and Accidental Hope by visiting facebook.com/accidentalhope. Thursdays | Beverly Flanagan is helping us age wisely and live well as mature women of God on In All Seasons Podcast. You can find Beverly’s latest episode at facebook.com/BloomingInspired or by visiting bloominginspirednetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page. And, Of Course, I continue to serve you each Friday by empowering the voices of women who live their lives blooming alive right here on the Blooming Inspired Podcast. Thank you for listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. This show airs weekly on Fridays. Please take a moment to like, share and subscribe to this podcast. To learn more about this podcast and it’s network, or the ministries of Blooming Inspired Network please visit BloomingInspiredNetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page. Podcast music provided by standard license from premiumbeats.com, “Spirit of Fire” created by FASSound.

Show Transcript: You are listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. We exist to empower the voices of women who live their lives #BloomingAlive through Podcast Community. Now, here is your host. Blooming Inspired Podcast equipping and empowering the voices of women who live their lives Blooming Alive. This week Michelle shares from the heart about a very personal series of Mirror Moments with God. Last February she was preparing to speak at a conference and share her testimony - and, God was gracious in allowing her to prepare the glory story of all the victories she’s known in her life with Him. As she put the final period on the end of the last sentence - she felt Him nudge her heart. “Now that you have that out of your system, would you like to know what I want to say?” This testimony was her response to that question! Introduction Hello Wildflowers! This is Michelle Bentham, host of Blooming Inspired Podcast. We’re moving in a new direction this week - over the next two or three weeks I’ll be sharing my personal testimony - really, it’s my identity journey into Poppa, Jesus & the Holy Spirit’s heart for me. This is a word straight from the deep places of healing and messy life I’ve walked with God as I’ve grown in knowing Him. For the last 10 years my prayer has been “God, I want to know you the way you know me.” And in that time, I’ve come through these beautiful mirror moments, learning to see His image in me. Embracing Identity is a core value here at Blooming Inspired Network. In my own experiences I’ve found spiritual identity is not at all about discovering who YOU are in Christ, but rather settling your heart in intimacy to know Him - just Him - discovering who He is and how He wants to express Himself through you. As I pray for you today, I want you to keep in mind in Genesis 1 & 2 we learned that we - as human beings - were born in the image of God. Our life as believers should be an ever increasing journey toward becoming what we behold in Him - seeing, as Paul wrote to the Corinthians, faintly as in a mirror but as we grow more like Him looking forward to that day when we finally know Him as He knows us - FULLY - Face to Face. Let’s Pray, Father God, I ask that You would give each person within the sound of my voice eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to know you more. I pray that every person would encounter and be reminded that You think thoughts toward us and those thoughts are plans to prosper us and to bring about our future and hope in You. That as I share the testimony of the truth I’ve lived in you, that those within the sound of my voice would find a resonating life song they can begin to sing in their own experiences with you. Let our hearts be inspired to press into You more, to live for more and to experience more so Your glory may be known upon the earth. I ask these things in Jesus’ Precious Name, AMEN. Would you allow that reality to settle deep in your heart as you hear my testimony of Jesus today? Last February I prepared to speak at a conference and share a sweet little testimony about my life with Jesus. God’s grace allowed me to prepare that glory story of all the victories I’ve known in my life with Him. I settled down after the final period landed on the end of the last sentence of that testimony. Satisfied. Excited. I had two weeks until the conference and all I needed to do was tweak it, read it again and again so I could deliver it from my heart. And that’s when it happened… I felt Him nudge my heart. “Now that you have that out of your system, would you like to know what I want to say?” How else would I respond? My simple reply in that moment was yes, Lord. It still took me two full weeks to let go of my glory story complete with a cute anecdote my daddy loves to tell about how I thought the preacher was God at a revival meeting when I was just 3 years old. At 9:30 am, on the morning of the conference, I opened my laptop and typed up what I am about to share with you now. Just 5 hours before delivering it to the women I had been invited to serve that weekend. You see, God did not want me to share that “Glory Story” because it only told you the good parts of my experiences with Him, without digging into the not so lovely parts. Anybody else? Do you have those not so lovely parts of your testimony you’d just really rather not share with 100+ strangers much less the entire interwebs… As I am choosing to do now? I mean, come on – who here has Facebook or Instagram, or maybe that “Pinterest. Perfect. Account?” I attended the conference I shared this testimony at the year before serving as the Worship Painter. The day that I spoke, the room filled with many of the same women who watched me paint a glorious masterpiece of God’s Pearl of Great Price the year before, I confessed: “I really am not ‘that good’ at painting.” Meaning, I usually learn to do things that I don’t think I can do by doing them. (REPEAT) And, because I was painting the entire day the previous year, I didn’t get to fully participate in all the activations offered. In particular, the mirror moment activation each woman was encouraged to do during the conference. They stood before the mirror taking off the lies they’d believed about themselves and asked God to show them how He sees them. That night, as I walked my tired body into the hotel room provided I found myself standing in front of the mirror taking off my shoes. The day had been long and hard, but my hair looked great and my make-up still in all the right places. And as I looked He took me back to a moment many years earlier. As I lingered there staring at myself in the mirror my heart spoke up... Has that ever happened to anyone out there? Well it does to me! You see, your heart has a voice and sometimes it talks to you. That night it would have been unusual for me to pause in front of a mirror. After ministering through paint, being on my feet and working more than 12 hours - I’m normally exhausted! By extension – my heart is usually quiet. But this night, because of the women I served – MY HEART WAS QUITE FULL. And as my eyes stared back at me I said aloud, “I think I’m finally starting to see her – that girl you’ve shown me I am. And, what’s more... I think I like her. And maybe, even I’m starting to love her...” The moment was not nearly as vain as it sounds. You see I have a very Jerry Springer meets Jennie Jones kind of story. A story that mirrors a few women we read about in scripture who had amazing encounters with Jesus when He walked the earth. The woman at the well, Mary Magdalene, and the adulterous woman the pharisees brought before Jesus to be stoned. We’ll look at one of these stories together, but before I go there... I need to tell you a bit of my story. As I wrote my testimony last February, I wanted to share all the things I counted as victories and how I have never known a day of my life when I didn’t believe God exists and that Jesus is real. Every word of it 100% TRUE, but it wasn’t complete. In sharing the victories, I skipped right over those years I often call my wilderness or prodigal season. A time when I was a very poor mother to small children, divorced and promiscuously working my way through 100s of men in bars – I don’t remember many of them, much less their names. I skipped the part about being married twice. And the abusive men who tried to utterly destroy me sending me off in the PTSD of Battered Women’s Syndrome. I was a hostage in my own mind. Can I just brag about my husband a little bit? We met when I was still hiding out and a hot mess - running from the law, and he quickly became the truest taste of unconditional love I’ve ever known. I like to call him my Kinsman Redeemer, but mostly I just call him #TheFisherman because he often catches all the fishes. Beside Jesus, he is the love of my life. He made me the catch of his life 22 years ago last August. We share a blended family of 2 sons and 3 daughters, two sons in love, and one who will soon be officially joining our family in November... and then there’s that little Grandbaby we learned about in January! He was due in August, but came a little early while his pops and I were on vacation in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Can I tell you I loved that little boy before I ever know him and I’m one happy Mimi? That little boy truly has my heart. And holding him is about the sweetest thing I’ve ever known. But, before all that I had a life riddled with traumas. My parents struggled with volatile anger and emotional drama while I was in my mother’s womb. She was really sick while carrying me, and the doctor force delivered me after my mother had a near fatal episode in the delivery room. I grew up believing I had nearly killed my mother and given her high blood pressure. SO! Birth was traumatic, my family life - full of emotional drama. In addition, I suffered a number of external traumas before I was 18: the deaths of both my grandmothers – the first at 5 years old, my cousin’s girlfriend was murdered when I was 12, and if that were it would be enough! I was also bullied in middle school, and at 16 I was raped as a virgin which messed me up -BIG. TIME. I carried that event as a secret for a number of years. I dated a man much older than me as I turned 17, and a few months later found out I was pregnant a few weeks before I began my senior year in high school. He abandoned me and his child when he learned of my condition. As I graduated from school and left home - I would hear boys say, “She’s really pretty and all, but she has a kid.” As an adult I was in several traumatic car accidents that resulted in major injuries to my body, I ended up moving in with the first guy who paid attend and ended up being physically abused in my first marriage and another relationship I had before I met #Theisherman. That’s a laundry list of opportunities for the enemy to come in and take footholds or build strongholds through my life. He sought to destroy my identity, and didn’t have to work too hard at it either. I carried a lot of self deception and self hatred. I think it was around 5 years of age that I decided it would be better to make up or pretend to have a better life than the one I was living. By 8 years old I was convinced I was a problem and constantly in trouble with my parents - one particular incident which was attributed to an error my teacher made not recording my grades for several weeks sealed my wounded heart shut. I decided at that point if I was going to get in trouble I’d have a great time doing it. I lived in active rebellion towards authority almost my entire life – including a few days in jail here and there. I had been in church enough as a child to be saved at age 12, but I had such an immature mindset because I was not discipled in the word of God – though my daddy tried. (Did I say I lived in active rebellion? YEAH.) At this point in my story, I’m pretty sure my pastor friend who invited me to speak was thinking - “Why on earth did I invite her to speak?” As You Have Heard, I have a messy testimony. Full of pitfalls and potholes and lots of self sabotage! It’s a messy story that has an equal number of amazing BUT GOD moments to tell as well. He intersected my life after I face-planted a windshield on the way home from a bar with a friend in 1998. And as hard as I had run from God all those years before, I ran after God and I’ve not ever looked back. But, when I started going to church there was this moment when I realized I had all these SKELETONS in the closet... All these things I’d done that only my family really knew about – well, some of them are public record with the state of Texas. Are you with me? At age 30, I ended up in this little church in Rhome, TX with my unsaved second husband, our blended family of five kids with three different last names, and I wanted to pretend we were Ozzy & Harriet. Put on my best clothes and my best face each week and smiled and nodded my way through those first few months in church. Around Christ that year, my husband and later three of our five kids surrendered their lives to salvation and Jesus. And after a summer of Bible study with my pastor’s wife our fourth of five came to know Jesus at summer camp, and I began leading women’s ministry at the church. That was it... I knew what I was made to do from that moment on. But, REMEMBER... I still had this closet in my head full of skeletons. And that door had been slammed shut with a padlock in place to keep that wreck of a life hidden. There were even a few of those old bones sticking through the cracks in the door and I was terrified that they might just come flying out one night at Bible study and sprawl themselves across the floor – You know what that means, right? I’d be disqualified... And DISQUALIFIED is exactly how I felt. You know, somehow in all that Bible study I missed the part where Jesus died to redeem my past and not only forgive my sins, but to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. SAY THAT TO with me – Jesus not only forgives my sin, but cleanses me from ALL UNRIGHTEOUSNESS. Here’s the deal though, 1 John 1:9 tells us we have to do something to receive the cleansing... Confess the sins to God. “If we confess our sins (to God), He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from ALL -” Say ALL! “All unrighteousness.” What’s our part? To confess our sins. To come clean about all the things we’ve done to offend God and hurt other people. It’s been a long way from there to here, and I wouldn’t say I’ve arrived - still, I work daily to keep my life confessed up with God so the enemy doesn’t get any more footholds. Amen? I spent from those early years in church digging into the depths of God’s word, leading women’s Bible study at church, and doing my own word studies on the side. Things were not ideal at home, but I was growing in God and learning so much about Him. Still, I kept the not so lovely parts of our lives hidden from those around me. Like the fact that my teenage son was spinning wildly out of control and that our issues with him often escalated to violence between he and I. That’s when the enemy hit our family hard… Side Swiped us for real. In 2005 my oldest son suffered severe head injuries in a car accident. Eight days after his accident he passed away and I like to say he is now in Heaven’s safe keeping. God has been so good and gracious to me. As I walked out the healing journey after Justin’s death I discovered that God wanted me to give him everything... And that led me to several mirror moments that would change my life forever. I’ll save the others for the next couple of weeks, but today I’ll share the one that stemmed from that night in the hotel room in 2019. (FACEBOOK TESTIMONY) Do. You. See. It's been a long journey from there to here... From that night when I heard a voice call me from my sleep sending me to the living room to watch a video. I sat in the dark, my attitude far from polite, watching my favorite Bible study teacher speak on the screen across the room. From that moment when one by one all the unconfessed sin in my life played through my mind. Sin that brought tears... not of shame, not of guilt and not of regret, but rather tears of conviction at the high price Jesus paid for each picture remembered. I lay there, face in the carpet, sobbing in grief over what my sin cost Jesus. It seemed like time had stopped. From that moment after gut sobbing, snot in my hair kinda' crying when I asked Him what I should do with all this mess. And I felt He said, Go look in the mirror. From that moment when I walked into the bathroom where the light intensified so brilliant white I could not see to the clarity that came as I stepped in front of the vanity mirror and saw my piercing brown eyes. Chocolate brown dots staring back at me from a splotchy red face. And that's when I heard the most beautiful words, "Look what a mess you made out of the beauty I created." I didn't hear condemnation, but loving acknowledgement. He said He created me beautiful. Still beautiful in spite of the mess. I had always felt less than, somewhat ordinary... Crook in my nose, brown eyes -one noticeably smaller than the other-naturally dishwater colored hair, freckles and speckles and splotches in pasty white skin, a square shaped jaw and sparsely drawn in brows. A blank canvas... But He said I'm beautiful. Lately, I see her. That woman He fashioned and designed me to be - the uniquely fabulous way my dark eyes catch and reflect light. The sweet little way my mouth turns first down then up creating a beautiful smile that deeply creases my cheeks on both sides. The way my chin juts down from a softly square jawline. The way my fine mass of hair wisps and curls around my face, taking the style I carefully apply. I've started to love her lately in a way I didn't realize she needed to be loved. I see myself as He sees me - as He is within me. Scriptures commends us to love - first God with all our heart, soul, mind & strength and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. I cannot love others well, unless first I love myself. I cannot love myself well, unless I first love God. And when I choose to see myself through His eyes, I learn to see others as I see myself - from Love's perspective. Do. You. See. I am starting to see that girl He showed me back then. I love her, too. "The King is enthralled with your beauty. Honor Him for He is Lord." Psalm 45:11 (My Memory) Closing Remarks That’s all the time we have for today! Thank you for tuning in with us. I pray this is some encouragement to you as you seek to set your heart in a posture of love through turbulent days that are warring for our hearts and minds. May His power, wisdom and presence be complete in you and may you walk in His steadfast love daily. Next week we’ll dig deeper into this idea of Moving Forward in the power of the Holy Spirit. I’m very excited to announce that Blooming Inspired Network is sharing a new office space with Michelle Bentham’s Coaching Practice in Granbury, TX! If you’d like to learn more about mentoring through Blooming Inspired Network or sign up for coaching please reach out to Michelle by email and she will send you all the information you need to get started. WOW! OCTOBER is upon us… We’re already more than half way through and that means there are approximately 68-70 days left in 2020!!! Our fall Bible study has been delayed but we’ll be making announcements for a November start reading our last book in #TheGospels #VerseByVerse! I have excellent news… We’ll be meeting in person again this fall. I’ve got a few details to iron out before making the announcement but I cannot wait to get connected with you all again in Bible Study and community! If you’d like to be a guest on this show or get more information about hosting your own podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network - please reach out to me by visiting bloominginspirednetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page or [email protected]. I’d love the opportunity to connect with you and figure out how we can share your voice with the world around us. If you need encouragement of any kind, prayer or would just like to stay connected with us here at Blooming Inspired Network, please reach out by visiting us on Facebook, @BloomingInspired or bloominginspirednetwork.com and click the Direct Message or Contact link at the top of the page. We’d love to join hands with you in this season and lift you up. If you’d like to get this podcast delivered to your smart device, we're available on both Apple and Google Podcasts - take a moment to Subscribe and leave a review today! We’d love to partner with you in sharing messages that encourage and inspire other women to live their lives blooming alive! Speaking of partnering… Blooming Inspired Network is working with an up and coming ministry called Women of Verve. I began a little more than a year ago to walk with my friend, Melissa, as she birthed this idea of doing a community based outreach to women through retreats and Bible studies. In June we hosted 24 women and 4 leaders for a life-changing weekend away at MO Ranch in Hunt, TX. As we did the community of women we served has ralled! We are meeting in early November for a Brunch and time of fellowship with some light teaching. Be Sure to Follow @WomenOfVerve on Facebook or you can learn more by looking us up at facebook.com/WomenOfVerve and if you’d like to join us for our 2021 retreat July 23-25th you may visit womenofverve.com for more information and to reserve your spot! Space is limited so sign up today! Mark Your Calendars Be sure to tune into our Network’s weekly shows featuring these women who are living their lives Blooming Alive! Wednesdays | Jennifer Eikenhorst is bringing hope and building community with Accidental Hope Podcast. You can learn more about Jennifer and Accidental Hope by visiting facebook.com/accidentalhope. Thursdays | Beverly Flanagan is helping us age wisely and live well as mature women of God on In All Seasons Podcast. You can find Beverly’s latest episode at facebook.com/BloomingInspired or by visiting bloominginspirednetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page. And, Of Course, our very own Michelle Bentham is empowering the voices of women who live their lives blooming alive right here on the Blooming Inspired Podcast. Bible Study starts in October! We’ll be reading with fresh perspective in the Gospel of John as we wrap up our four year journey walking through #TheGospels #VerseByVerse. Be listening for more information here and be sure to check out facebook.com/bloominginspired for regular updates. Thank you for listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. This show airs weekly on Fridays. Please take a moment to like, share and subscribe to this podcast. To learn more about this podcast and it’s network, or the ministries of Blooming Inspired Network please visit BloomingInspiredNetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page. Podcast music provided by standard license from premiumbeats.com, “Spirit of Fire” created by FASSound.

This week Michelle shares from the heart about revelation she feels is critical to the coming new year and season we find ourselves in as believers, global citizens and as women! Join her as she unpacks what she means when she says, “I’m Not Missing My Appointment!” reading from Philippians 2 and 3 about what it means to press into what’s ahead, leave what’s behind and move forward into God’s unlimited potential in your life! Show Transcript: You are listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. We exist to empower the voices of women who live their lives #BloomingAlive through Podcast Community. Now, here is your host. Blooming Inspired Podcast equipping and empowering the voices of women who live their lives Blooming Alive. Introduction Hello Wildflower Friend! This is Michelle Bentham, host of Blooming Inspired Podcast. A NEW PODCAST EPISODE!!! I’m so excited. I’ve been getting back into my flow around the podcasting mic this week publishing our In All Seasons podcast yesterday and working up this powerful episode as a follow up. To say this year has been challenging is an understatement. Can I get an AMEN? n addition to all the Corona craziness and political posturing going on in the world around us - we’ve suffered the loss of my father-in-law in September, welcomed our very first grandchild in July (while on vacation) no less. Just this past week we also welcomed our first great nephew - to his big sister’s delight! And, we have a daughter getting married in November. It’s been a year full of high highs and low lows and everything in between. Life has been a series of unexpected heartbreaking events alongside expectant and exciting events! This year and the ups and downs of life ebbed and flowed in a maximized and magnified fashion. Scott and I in many instances have had to rely solely on God to both comfort and provide the way as we sought to return home to family in the midst of medical crises and to care for our family in the loss of my husband’s beloved dad. I’ve spent my time since we got the word Dad went to the hospital splitting my time between helping my mother-in-law and my momma. It’s been a beautiful blessing in the midst of deep sorrow, and a tremendous challenge figuring out how to balance moving to a new office and jumping back into ALL THE THINGS I’ve been working toward these last few years. And that is just my story… There are millions of people around the world who have had their best laid plans and their lives turned upside down this year. Yesterday as I met with a client God dropped a truth so powerful in my spirit I had to write it down: “The only way to miss your appointment in this season, is to allow disappointment to rule over things you feel you haven’t done instead of focusing on what God is calling you to do now!” As I’ve weighed that thought and talked to God about it I felt Him pointing me to Paul’s writings in Philippians. Specifically: “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14, and that’s in the New American Standard Bible. Now For This Week’s Reading… Let’s Pray, Father God, I ask that You would give each person within the sound of my voice eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to know you more. I pray that every person would encounter and be reminded that You think thoughts toward us and those thoughts are plans to prosper us and to bring about our future and hope in You. That as we read Your words of Truth, inspired by the Holy Spirit, we would be changed by them. Let our hearts be inspired to press into You more, to live for more and to experience more so Your glory may be known upon the earth. I ask these things in Jesus’ Holy Name, AMEN. As we move toward the end of this upside down kinda’ year, I’m going to be talking about the importance of vision and moving forward. Last October I was in much the same position as I am this October, my husband is working in Wisconsin while I keep the home fires burning back here in Texas. As I spent last fall reflecting and listening to the heart of the Lord for the upcoming new year - I heard three specific words: Vision, Velocity & Victory. As I did, the Lord showed me a picture of a FINISH LINE. I knew this meant that the long season of preparation I’ve been walking out was coming to an end. And with it - all the should’ves would’ves and could’ves were going to be behind me as well. Which brings me back to that quote from my coaching session yesterday. We often look back at what we’ve missed, what we failed to do or accomplish and we hold onto that disappointment and regret. The Apostle Paul had a life that he believed he was living for God before he met Christ on that Damascus road. But, after his conversion he pursued God’s path wholeheartedly --- and though others might reject him because of his past, he didn’t let that stop him from living out God’s plan and purpose for his redeemed and transformed life. I believe we can learn so much from his example. How to persevere in adversity - when life knocks you down and the enemy attacks you trying to thwart God’s plan. We must learn to be people with a persevering spirit and a relentless pursuit of all that God is and who Jesus wants to be through us. It’s the only way forward. Today as we read, I want you to pay attention to the powerful promises that come when we set our gaze upon Jesus, and seek first His Kingdom and righteousness - the prize toward which He calls us heavenward. I pray you can sense the overwhelming passion of God in my heart toward you - believing that you, too, would fulfill the GOD-SIZED potential He created you to live in. Let’s Begin in Philippians Chapter 3 in The Passion Translation: Verse 1-2: My beloved ones, don’t ever limit your joy or fail to rejoice in the wonderful experience of knowing our Lord Jesus! I don’t mind repeating what I’ve already written you because it protects you— beware of those religious hypocrites who teach that you should be circumcised to please God. Did you catch that? Religious hypocrites - holding fast to traditions - will lead us into dead works. What religious traditions might you be observing that God is asking you to let go of at this very moment? For me, God has been arresting my opinions and judgments about and against others from my tightly clenched fists. He gives me discernment to pray and protect me, not to tear others down. But, my words and my mind sometimes take off through my mouth before I have a chance to filter them. Another tradition is the church I attend, and the roles women should play in them. I’m learning so much from God about how He sees His daughters and what He desires for them. I see life and light coming to them and a place being prepared for them - a place at His table. Verse 3: For we have already experienced “heart-circumcision,” and we worship God in the power and freedom of the Holy Spirit, not in laws and religious duties. We are those who boast in what Jesus Christ has done, and not in what we can accomplish in our own strength. Has your heart been circumcised? I remember a number of years ago - some 15 if I’m counting correctly - I was reading these Pauline epistles with fresh eyes and was hit with a fresh awareness that there was more to water baptism than just a symbolic act of obedience. The act of water baptism is a prophetic declaration over my life that my old nature and the old me has died, and my new self - what I like to call my originally created self - raises from that burial delivered from my past and the desires of my flesh to walk in submission to Christ not only as Savior but as my Lord. In that season I prayed those Scriptures and asked God if He would kindly cut away every part of my flesh until only He remained. It was during this same season that I began to pray to Know God the way He knows me. A longing - a hunger and a thirst for both His intimacy and righteousness - was birthed in me in that beautiful season. A longing that has led me ever deeper into His grace, His love, His presence, and His glory. It is a place of the deepest abiding - that place of knowing and being known by the one who formed you in your mother’s wombs. Who knows every thought you think before you form it in your mind. He knows the life you’ll live, the path you’ll take and the way you’ll wander off from Him along the way - and still - He chose you to bear not only His image, but also His glory as He transforms you - from glory to glory - and allows us to be partakers of His divine nature even as we are yet sinners. Christ died for us - it is a severe kind of mercy that sacrifices itself so it can attain one so loved. And beloved, if you did not already know - YOU ARE SO VERY LOVED. Let God tend those matters in your heart. Paul’s Past… Verse 4-6: It’s true that I once relied on all that I had become. I had a reason to boast and impress people with my accomplishments—more than others—for my pedigree was impeccable. I was born a true Hebrew of the heritage of Israel as the son of a Jewish man from the tribe of Benjamin. I was circumcised eight days after my birth and was raised in the strict tradition of Orthodox Judaism, living a separated and devout life as a Pharisee. And concerning the righteousness of the Torah, no one surpassed me; I was without a peer. Furthermore, as a fiery defender of the truth, I persecuted the messianic believers with religious zeal. Here Paul deals honestly with both his virtues and his shortcomings… Paul gives us a glimpse at how destructive religious piety can be when it attacks and persecutes those who believe in Christ. Has your heart been wounded by leaders in the church, or maybe even your parents, misappropriated their authority over you and wounded your soul whether the wounding was intentional or not - it needs to be brought to Jesus, tenderly cut away so that healing can take place. Verse 7: Yet all of the accomplishments that I once took credit for, I’ve now forsaken them and I regard it all as nothing compared to the delight of experiencing Jesus Christ as my Lord! There is this beautiful thing that takes place when you come to terms with the fact that IN CHRIST you can do nothing of your own accord. You cannot boast of your accomplishments for they are also His. You cannot even point to your past successes for they are buried now with your old life. No… As one who is accepted in the beloved you gladly join yourself to Him, allow Him to receive your glory which He gladly shares with you. He honors you beloved and He delights to see you bring honor and glory to His own name. Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. (See Psalm 37:4) Verse 8: To truly know him meant letting go of everything from my past and throwing all my boasting on the garbage heap. It’s all like a pile of manure to me now, so that I may be enriched in the reality of knowing Jesus Christ and embrace him as Lord in all of his greatness. Jesus when He arrests our hearts and minds - He changes everything. He gives us strength, grace and peace to walk through our lives… Not striving to accomplish something that earns us favor, but living from His love and favor as we surrender every part of ourselves to Him. For Him. And His glory. Verse 9-11: My passion is to be consumed with him and not clinging to my own “righteousness” based in keeping the written Law. My “righteousness” will be his, based on the faithfulness of Jesus Christ—the very righteousness that comes from God. And I continually long to know the wonders of Jesus more fully and to experience the overflowing power of his resurrection working in me. I will be one with him in his sufferings and I will be one with him in his death. Only then will I be able to experience complete oneness with him in his resurrection from the realm of death. What are you passionately pursuing in life? For me, as Paul writes, I find myself more and more driven to know and experience the fullness of Who Jesus is - the wonders of His power and supernatural presence - the glorious fruit of His Spirit - Holy Spirit - living on the inside of me. I want to be acquainted with Him in every way - familiar and yet still in awe of His complete otherness. His complete Godness. That thing that drives my face to the ground in worship and awe that one so magnificent could love so well one like me. Verse 12: I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose that Jesus Christ has called me to fulfill and wants me to discover. For those of you thinking - I have so NOT arrived. We can thank God for Paul’s testimony - and I’ll add my own. I will not know the completion of my desire, the fullness of them this side of Heaven - but in the fullness that He offers me daily - I want to live and move and find my being over and over again. Amen? Verse 13: I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. Learning from our past and the missteps we’ve taken through life is valuable as we walk through them, but to live our lives driven by them and focused on them keeps our eyes off the promise. Jesus - He said, Seek First the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness… All of these things are found in the person of Jesus Christ, and the empowering nature of Holy Spirit. We are not victims of circumstance doomed to repeat the past failures we have walked through - no, we are not. We are repented sinners, now called saints who walk in the pure victory of Christ as OVERCOMERS. We cannot depend on what we view as strengths or even our own ideas. We must pursue the higher thoughts, purpose and plans of God. His strength perfected in our weakness as we learn all the wondrous ways He fashioned us to express His glory and person to the world in Christ. In coaching one of the things we are taught is that we do not dwell on the past - if it comes up we look at it to see what we can learn from it, and then we set ourselves in purpose-filled fashion on a course of action to accomplish what we are looking toward our future to see. Paul said he forgets the past that is behind him and fastens his heart to the future instead. So let me ask you--- What is Your Heart Fastened to in this Season? Verse 14: I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus. There is so much more for us in Christ if we will run straight to Him and His divine invitation. What heavenly goal do you sense Him putting before you today? Run with everything you have beloved toward that victory-prize and let His anointing carry you easily across His finish line. Verse 15-16: So let all who are fully mature have this same passion, and if anyone is not yet gripped by these desires, God will reveal it to them. And let us all advance together to reach this victory-prize, following one path with one passion. Have you every heard the saying, “Not my monkey, not my circus?” or perhaps the more common, “Stay in your lane.” Paul is writing just this to the church at Philippi. He says let all who are fully mature have this same passion. What passion? The passion to pursue the fullness of Christ and what He has set before us to run toward in our lives each day. And then he offers grace to those who are “not quite there yet…” I had such Zeal when I finally began to pursue the Lord and His goodness. I dug deep in His Word and I studied long. As I did, I found myself frustrated and even infuriated with people who didn’t quite “GET HIM” they way I did. I shared these thoughts with my cousin who is 10 years my senior and about the same distance from me in wisdom. She smiled and said, “You know what drives me crazy?” I shook my head. “People who always think you have to GET IT the way they do.” Touche! Write. Or maybe it is a little more like ouch. God reminds me often that it is okay others are not quite where I am in my journey with Him. He’s got them - He’s working in and through them just as He has done with me. I need to trust Him in the lives of others the way I have learned to trust Him with myself. When I try to “fix” others on His behalf - it usually ends poorly and there is a always relational reconciliation that needs to be done. Verse 17: My beloved friends, imitate my walk with God and follow all those who walk according to the way of life we modeled before you. Here is where Paul says, Follow me - or imitate me - as I imitate Christ. You see Paul followed Christ’s lead, so it would be safe for others to follow Paul. Why? Because Paul was leading them to Jesus. If you are called to leadership this is an important note: I cut my teeth in God’s word through Beth Moore Bible studies more than ten years ago. One thing she said back then in her video teaching that has never left me was, “Beloved, follow me as I follow Christ. Don’t just follow me because I’ll leave you in a ditch.” She then said, “Be the kind of leader that when your time is done, you move out of the way and those who followed you still follow Christ.” This is what I desire for all of you - follow Jesus. Live and Breath Him. Immerse Yourself In Him. He is the only one worthy of your devotion and your loyal faithfulness. He is everything. Every. Thing. Verses 18-19: For there are many who live by different standards. As I’ve warned you many times (I weep as I write these words), they are enemies of the cross of the Anointed One and doom awaits them. Their god has possessed them and made them mute. Their boast is in their shameful lifestyles and their minds are in the dirt. As one who has walked with many on life’s road with Jesus, I can relate to Paul’s words here in the deeper places of my heart. We cannot say we follow Jesus and yet fail to live by His standards. We don’t want to find ourselves opposing the truth and work of Christ after we’ve spent our lives coming to find Him. Be cautious and mindful - bathe yourself in the Scriptures and write them on your heart. Know them inside and out - and live by Faith in the One who Saved you. He alone is worthy, beloved. He is our author and perfector. He knows how the story ends. Stay close to Him - He will never fail you. Verses 20-21: But we are a colony of heaven on earth as we cling tightly to our life-giver, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our humble bodies and transfigure us into the identical likeness of his glorified body. And using his matchless power, he continually subdues everything to himself. The sweet spot for those of us who are in Christ is in this exactly poignant and beautiful expression of how we are to live out our days on earth - defined by our submission, clinging to Jesus as our life-giver and daily walking out the transformation that will result in us beholding Him on that glorious last day as we look in His beautiful face. He will subdue everything in His timing and He brings it continually to Him. He is matchless in every way. Closing Remarks That’s all the time we have for today! Thank you for tuning in with us. I pray this is some encouragement to you as you seek to set your heart in a posture of love through turbulent days that are warring for our hearts and minds. May His power, wisdom and presence be complete in you and may you walk in His steadfast love daily. Next week we’ll dig deeper into this idea of Moving Forward in the power of the Holy Spirit. I’m very excited to announce that Blooming Inspired Network is sharing a new office space with Michelle Bentham’s Coaching Practice in Granbury, TX! If you’d like to learn more about mentoring through Blooming Inspired Network or sign up for coaching please reach out to Michelle by email and she will send you all the information you need to get started. OCTOBER is upon us… WOW! We’re already half way through and that means there are approximately 75 days left in 2020!!! Our fall Bible study has been delayed but we’ll be making announcements for a November start reading our last book in #TheGospels #VerseByVerse! I have excellent news… We’ll be meeting in person again this fall. I’ve got a few details to iron out before making the announcement but I cannot wait to get connected with you all again in Bible Study and community! If you’d like to be a guest on this show or get more information about hosting your own podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network - please reach out to me by visiting bloominginspirednetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page or [email protected]. I’d love the opportunity to connect with you and figure out how we can share your voice with the world around us. If you need encouragement of any kind, prayer or would just like to stay connected with us here at Blooming Inspired Network, please reach out by visiting us on Facebook, @BloomingInspired or bloominginspirednetwork.com and click the Direct Message or Contact link at the top of the page. We’d love to join hands with you in this season and lift you up. If you’d like to get this podcast delivered to your smart device, we're available on both Apple and Google Podcasts - take a moment to Subscribe and leave a review today! I also want to ask you if this podcast has been a blessing to you: would you consider subscribing to it on Apple or Google Podcasts, and share it with your friends and family? We’d love to partner with you in sharing messages that encourage and inspire other women to live their lives blooming alive! Speaking of partnering… Blooming Inspired Network is working with an up and coming ministry called Women of Verve. I began a little more than a year ago to walk with my friend, Melissa, as she birthed this idea of doing a community based outreach to women through retreats and Bible studies. In June we hosted 24 women and 4 leaders for a life-changing weekend away at MO Ranch in Hunt, TX. As we did the community of women we served has ralled! We are meeting in early November for a Brunch and time of fellowship with some light teaching. Be Sure to Follow @WomenOfVerve on Facebook or you can learn more by looking us up at facebook.com/WomenOfVerve and if you’d like to join us for our 2021 retreat July 23-25th you may visit womenofverve.com for more information and to reserve your spot! Space is limited so sign up today! Mark Your Calendars Be sure to tune into our Network’s weekly shows featuring these women who are living their lives Blooming Alive! Wednesdays | Jennifer Eikenhorst is bringing hope and building community with Accidental Hope Podcast. You can learn more about Jennifer and Accidental Hope by visiting facebook.com/accidentalhope. Thursdays | Beverly Flanagan is helping us age wisely and live well as mature women of God on In All Seasons Podcast. You can find Beverly’s latest episode at facebook.com/BloomingInspired or by visiting bloominginspirednetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page. And, Of Course, our very own Michelle Bentham is empowering the voices of women who live their lives blooming alive right here on the Blooming Inspired Podcast. Bible Study starts in October! We’ll be reading with fresh perspective in the Gospel of John as we wrap up our four year journey walking through #TheGospels #VerseByVerse. Be listening for more information here and be sure to check out facebook.com/bloominginspired for regular updates. Thank you for listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. This show airs weekly on Fridays. Please take a moment to like, share and subscribe to this podcast. To learn more about this podcast and it’s network, or the ministries of Blooming Inspired Network please visit BloomingInspiredNetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page. Podcast music provided by standard license from premiumbeats.com, “Spirit of Fire” created by FASSound.

This week Michelle begins a new series “We Need You, Holy Spirit!” about these times of escalation and seasons of turbulence that we are finding ourselves in and how to move forward with God with everything else around us seems to be falling apart. Show Transcript: You are listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. We exist to empower the voices of women who live their lives #BloomingAlive through Podcast Community. Now, here is your host. Blooming Inspired Podcast equipping and empowering the voices of women who live their lives Blooming Alive. Introduction Good Afternoon!! This is Michelle Bentham, host of Blooming Inspired Podcast. Review Last week I had Beverly Flanagan on my show - she is a brand new host here on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network! She is an elder in our network who is full of wisdom and life experience with a passion for God, His Spirit and His Word. Her show, In All Seasons: Living Wisely, Aging Well airs each week on Thursdays. I want to encourage you to check that out! This Week’s Reading Let’s Pray, Father God, I ask that you would give each person within the sound of my voice eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to know you more. I pray that every person would encounter your living presence and power through the Scriptures today and that as we do we would be changed by them. Let our hearts be inspired to believe for more, to live for more and to experience more so your glory may be known upon the earth. Give us eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to know! I ask these things in Jesus’ Precious Name, AMEN. The title for this episode and series is “We Need You. Holy Spirit!” I’m going to focus on Isaiah 11 today, where we learn about the seven fold ministry of God, or what is called The Seven Spirits of God. Today as we read, I want you to pay attention to the powerful promise of this passage and what God is saying to us about our circumstances today. As we read, don’t just listen for my insights - grab a notebook and pen, have your Bible open as we read and make notes about what you hear Him saying to you about where we are in this hour as a world, a nation, a city and the church. So much has been happening these last few months - and I’ve been in two positions since I last brought a word here in March. 1) Warring in the heavenly realms through intercession. Friends, if we do not understand that the war being waged around the world - especially here in the United States - is not of human origin, but it is of Dark Principalities, Powers and Spiritual Forces that are raging in the heavenlies right now then we will not rightly respond to this hour. I’ll share more on this in the weeks to come, but for now I will move on to that second position I’ve held these last few months. 2) I’ve been still in heart and mind, set on God and trusting Him. Living from rest and peace. I have traveled a few times and sat on a beach twice now that seemed so beautifully unaffected by the world raging around it. I’ve taken road trips to see my husband who is working out of town. With all the focus on the underlying conditions that bring complications with the Coronavirus and CoVid19, I also came to a decision and began a weight loss journey in June. I’ve spent the last nine weeks learning to manage and discipline my appetites and as a result I’ve lost 29 pounds and am now 69 pounds from my goal weight. I’ve also seen my total cholesterol drop from 257 to 174. My energy levels are better, and I’ve realized that I really don’t enjoy the processed and inflammatory foods that I ate in the past. I’m learning that I turned to food for comfort and to destress, that SUGAR totally handicapped not only my body but also my brain. I’ve learned that I can enjoy, explore and create a meal I love with healthy food choices and those choices don’t need to include fat, most sugars, starchy carbohydrates, soy products, or dairy - before you get to feeling too sorry for me - I can have about a cup and a half of fruit and egg whites so I’m not totally suffering! This journey amazes me. I’m learning to lean in and trust God. I buy mostly fresh produce and grass fed or organic meat products. I sleep better. I think clearer. I have more energy. My blood pressure and blood sugar aren’t spiking - and the pounds are falling off. My joints don’t ache when I move as they once did. My encouragement to you… Find what works and make the changes to live a healthier life. The weight loss is honestly a side win, because the major victory is my health and overall quality of living that is coming forward now. In Episode 164 I made the observation… “God is calling His Church to rise in this hour above the fear and the dismay, into a place of battle. Do you have your armor on?” Let’s put it on every single day and walk in the victory of Christ, following His leadership as we go. Proverbs 9:10 Assures us that fearing the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Let’s choose to remember that God is both personal and Holy, or wholly other than human beings. He is the God of all other gods, the Creator and Architect of everything that Exists, He is the righteous judge who is also the Ancient of Days and He has never missed anything. Those who encounter His glorious presence do not simply bow in His presence, but rather they fall down like they are dead, as the Apostle John wrote of his own experience. We serve a Holy, Righteous and Sovereign God. Nothing takes Him by surprise and nothing - not one thing - we face is impossible with Him. Fear Him in holy awe. Adore Him in holy worship. Be Holy as He is holy within you. Let Him have His way. Today’s Reading As we open Scripture today, turn to Isaiah 11. I’m so excited to read with you. I’ll be reading Isaiah from the New English & Passion Translations simply because they both express some deep things I want to highlight. Let’s Begin. Reading Isaiah 11: Verse 1: The cut-off stump of Jesse will sprout, and a fruitful Branch will grow from his roots: This is clearly a prophecy written about Jesus, or a Messianic Prophecy, the promised anointed one or Deliverer that we know as The Savior, Christ and Messiah through Scripture. Interestingly I read commentary by Bob Yandian (read here) about how the root is Jesus and the fruitful branch that springs out of that root is the church. He indicates by extension that the verses that follow would demonstrate that the same qualities of God’s Spirit that rested on Jesus as He walked the earth now reside within us, as Believers. Let’s look at these… Verse 2: the Spirit of Yahweh will rest upon him, the Spirit of Extraordinary Wisdom, the Spirit of Perfect Understanding the Spirit of Wise Strategy, the Spirit of Mighty Power, the Spirit of Revelation, and the Spirit of the Fear of Yahweh. Catch this… The Holy Spirit (the Spirit of God) rests upon Jesus. Remember in Matthew, Mark and Luke’s accounts of Jesus’ baptism that the Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove and came to rest upon Jesus? With Holy Spirit comes Extraordinary Wisdom, Perfect Understanding, Wise Strategy (Counsel) - the NET says, the ability to Execute Plans - and wrapping up the list: Mighty Power, Revelation and the Fear of the Lord. Do We Ever Need The Holy Spirit In THIS HOUR? Look around you in the world today, where do you see these expressions of the nature of the Holy Spirit in Society at large, our nation, and the Church? Bob Yandian says that these are the seven ministries of the Holy Spirit. All of them are found in Jesus. That Spirit of Counsel as it is commonly called, here in the Passion Translation it is called “Wise Strategy” I remember about ten years ago I was working at a church in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro area here in Texas. One of the things they had us do was take the Clifton Strengthsfinder test. I did as I was instructed and reported back my top five strengths: 1) Strategic, 2) Arranger, 3) Connectedness, 4) Belief, and 5) Maximizer. One day, after taking the test, I drove home and was listening to a local Christian station that hosted a Strengths Coach on the show. The woman being interviewed said this, “Only 4% of people in the entire world have a number 1 strength of Strategic and a number 2 strength of Arranger. Do you know what that means?” She went on to explain that a person with this top two strength set not only has the capability to make the best plan or strategy to accomplish a goal, but they are tactical enough to be able to put the necessary people and resources in place to carry out the plan as well. This was something I really had to take to God. You see I never thought I was good at planning and executing. Why? Because I never executed. Yet, my top two strengths are executive in nature. I could always make a really good plan, but I’d blow it big when it came to executing, or I’d get stuck in the process of evaluating and always trying to make it BETTER. (Maximizer, much?) As I’ve grown with the Lord and moved in different circles of friends and churches, one thing comes up often - I am a woman who walks in the Gifts of Wisdom. I carry it, along with peace. And I am convinced that this is because I walk in the fear of the Lord more and more each day. Micah 6:8 shows us what it means to walk in the fear of the Lord, the prophet writes that God says He has shown us what is good, that we should do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God. As I read this passage more than a decade ago, God showed me this beautiful picture of how as children of God the way we stay humble before Him is to continually submit ourselves to Him and let Him examine our hearts so as to “Do Justice in our own hearts” and then to “Love Mercy toward other people” let the judgments and the offenses go, so that when we walk with God it demonstrates not only that I am in relationship with Him, but also the character and nature of Him who lives within me. In the NET Verse 2 reads this way: The Lord’s Spirit will rest on him - a spirit of extraordinary wisdom, a spirit that provides the ability to execute plans, a spirit that produces absolute loyalty to the Lord. Take note in this translation that the indication is this is one spirit that produces a variety of outcomes. It is productive to be engaged with and empowered by the Holy Spirit of God. His Presence brings extraordinary wisdom, mighty power, counsel and wise strategy, revelation and understanding, and most of all, THE FEAR OF THE LORD. Reverent Awe for the one who formed you in your mother’s womb and gave His own Son so you could be redeemed. Verse 3: He will find his delight in living by the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord. He will neither judge by appearances nor make his decisions based on rumors. Let me ask you this… If Jesus lives within us, how are we doing with finding our delight in living by the Spirit of the Fear of the Lord. I mean, church? Church leaders fearing the government refusing to hold services, judging each other based on doctrinal interpretations, openly and publicly spreading malicious slander and gossip against other professed believers and making a killing of a living at it by writing books about it. Rumor, innuendo and speculation (A.K.A as judging) are circulating regularly… Maybe I’ve gone to meddlin’now! Remember when Samuel summoned Jesse to bring his sons forward so one could be anointed as King after Saul? 1 Samuel tells us that Jesse called all his sons in to meet the prophet that day, save one. David, the youngest of his boys, the Shepherd of the family. While his brothers put on their armor and went off to war, David grabbed his shepherd’s hook and lived in the fields among his father’s sheep. He protected them, fed them, and made sure they were not injured, stolen or killed. He fought off lions and bears, and wore the marks of the work and sleeping in the dirt among the animals on his body. His skin was red from the sun. Samuel examined these sons of Jesse arrayed before him and said he did not find the one he sought. He asked Jesse if he had any other sons, and Jesse replied that his youngest son David was still in the fields watching the sheep. Samuel sent for David and when Jesse questioned his judgment, Samuel replied, “Man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.” Friends, in order for us to get through this season of extreme disconnect and division both within the body of Christ and the United States of America, we are going to have to have the wisdom and revelation of Holy Spirit so that we can look past what we see on the outside of a person’s life and look into what God is saying about their hearts. I often counsel parents who are struggling to help their children, to listen for the lie their heart believes because if you can identify and address the lie by speaking truth to your child then the behaviors and other aspects of their character that suffer will be made right. How is your heart doing today? Verse 4: With righteousness he will uphold justice for the poor and defend the lowly of the earth. His words will be like a scepter of power that conquers the world, and with his breath he will slay the lawless one. Jesus, God’s one and only Son who gave Himself for us - is the one who holds the Justice for the poor, the lowly and the defenseless in the earth. His words, what Jesus speaks, is like a scepter of power that will conquer the world systems, demonic principalities and assignments and even the godless governments of the nations that are now raging against Him. Jesus, with one breath from His mouth, slays the lawless one - Satan, His adversary and our enemy. In many settings throughout Christendom - believers are constantly blaming or rebuking the devil, but to what end? Nothing much changes. We don’t see lasting results. Why? Because we have forgotten that not only is Scripture the written word of God, but Jesus - who carries all the authority of heaven, life and death - is the LIVING WORD and the fullest expression of God’ to us on earth. A God who is just, merciful, gracious and whose very essence is love. Verse 5: Righteousness will be his warrior’s sash and faithfulness his belt. What sets Jesus apart, and makes Him TRUTH to us… It is His righteousness. He who was without sin, became sin for us so that we should not die but live and work alongside Him, empowered by His Holy Spirit, to bring forth the Kingdom of His Father upon the earth. (See 2 Corinthians 5) We have not been left as orphans, the spirit of God resides in us. Have You Received His Presence and Power Fully In Your Life? Before Jesus ascended into Heaven scripture tells us that He breathed on His disciples and saying for them to receive the Holy Spirit. Every one of them having been among those who acknowledged Jesus as the Christ by faith received the Holy Spirit. And yet, Jesus’ last command to His disciples and apostles was not “Go.” but “Wait…” Wait for what? Wait for the Holy Spirit that you have received to come upon you in power. I believe a big part of our problem in the western church is that we undervalue the waiting on the Lord to visit us in His power and presence before we go out. Without His power and love, I am nothing. My efforts toward doing good offers only wood, hay and stubble on a pile that will be consumed in His holy fire. The only way to store up treasures for yourself in Heaven is to rightly understand that apart from Christ and the empowering of His Holy Spirit we can do nothing of value. And without that we have no treasure. The God Who Restores Verse 10: On that day, the root of Jesse will be lifted up as a miracle-sign to rally the people. Gentiles will diligently seek him, and his resting place will be glorious! This was true of Jesus during His life, death, burial and resurrection and it will be true of Him again in His second coming. The nations of the world will bow in reverence and awe as the one true Son of God is revealed in all the earth. His resting place now is in us. The glory of God chooses to rest within each of us… And oh, friends. That truly is glorious. Now, more than any other time in my life I cry out to God saying, We Need Your Holy Spirit! Will you join me in making this your heart cry to God every day? So, Let me ask you… What is the Holy Spirit highlighting for you from today’s reading? Ask Him to breathe on it, give light to it. And Ask Him to show you what He wants you to do in response to it. Put your faith in action today and follow the Lord in obedience as you choose to move forward. We will be reading from Zechariah 4 next week as we look at what it takes to move forward when God calls us to move. Closing Remarks Thank you for tuning in with us. I pray this is some encouragement to you as you seek to set your heart in a posture of love through turbulent days that are warring for our hearts and minds. May His power, wisdom and presence be complete in you and may you walk in His steadfast love daily. Next week we’ll dig deeper into this idea of Moving Forward in the power of the Holy Spirit. I also want to ask you if this podcast has been a blessing to you: would you consider subscribing to it on Apple or Google Podcasts, and share it with your friends and family? We’d love to partner with you in sharing messages that encourage and inspire other women to live their lives blooming alive! Speaking of partnering… Blooming Inspired Network is working with an up and coming ministry called Women of Verve. I began a little more than a year ago to walk with my friend, Melissa, as she birthed this idea of doing a community based outreach to women through retreats and Bible studies. In June we hosted 24 women and 4 leaders for a life-changing weekend away at MO Ranch in Hunt, TX. As we did the community of women we served has ralled, and we met last Saturday for lunch, and are having Bible study this evening here in the Hood-Somerville County area of Texas. You can learn more by looking us up at facebook.com/WomenOfVerve and if you’d like to join us for our 2021 retreat July 23-25th you may visit womenofverve.com for more information and to reserve your spot! Space is limited so sign up today! If you’d like to be a guest on this show or get more information about hosting your own podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network - please reach out to me by visiting bloominginspirednetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page or [email protected]. I’d love the opportunity to connect with you and figure out how we can share your voice with the world around us. If you need encouragement of any kind, prayer or would just like to stay connected with us here at Blooming Inspired Network, please reach out by visiting us on Facebook, @BloomingInspired or bloominginspirednetwork.com and click the Direct Message or Contact link at the top of the page. We’d love to join hands with you in this season and lift you up. If you’d like to get this podcast delivered to your smart device, we're available on both Apple and Google Podcasts - take a moment to Subscribe and leave a review today! Thank you for listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. This show airs weekly on Tuesdays. Please take a moment to like, share and subscribe to this podcast. To learn more about this podcast and it’s network, or the ministries of Blooming Inspired Network please visit BloomingInspiredNetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page. Podcast music provided by standard license from premiumbeats.com, “Spirit of Fire” created by FASSound.

This week Michelle is back with guest and new #BloomingInspired podcaster, Beverly Flanagan! Beverly continues to walk as a woman of wisdom in all the seasons of her life. She is a woman who wears many hats: wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, advocate, minister and friend. Her career and her faith define the story she tells today as she shares her heart about the podcast she is hosting that will air each week on Thursdays right here on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network! More about Beverly: Beverly is a graduate of Excelsior College, with certificates & certifications relating to her work in health & human services, which she has been doing for several decades. Currently she is Ombudsman Program Director for Senior Care Inc, out of Gloucester, Massachusetts; ombudsmen are advocates for residents in nursing homes. She looks forward to retirement in the near future, and an encore career as an independent writer and editor, and she is also the up and coming hostess for the podcast IN ALL SEASONS: LIVING WISELY, AGING WELL, on Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. Beverly has been married and divorced twice, never imagining she would meet someone as wonderful as John in this life. John is a graduate of Suffolk University with a BSBA & of the University of Massachusetts/Boston with an MS in Public Affairs; was a professional government auditor for 35+ years. Semi-retired, he is a certified driving instructor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a Licensed Tour Guide in the City of Salem on the Salem Trolley, a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, currently serving as Division Commander, and a volunteer Money Manager for an elder services agency for clients unable to take care of their finances. John was previously married to his high school sweetheart Patricia for nearly 25 years, when she died of complications due to Muscular Dystrophy, he was widowed for almost a decade prior to meeting Beverly. They married in 2008, and share a blended family . They all live close to one another in the area with three amazing sons, one beautiful daughter, two wonderful daughters-in-law, and three fabulous grandchildren. Both John and Beverly serve their local Catholic parish as Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers, and on the Visitation Ministry Team to Catholics who are home-bound or in nursing homes. They currently live in Danvers Massachusetts. Their hope is to someday retire to a quiet community elsewhere in New England. There they plan to continue to volunteer, and serve in parish ministry, as long as possible.

This week Michelle begins a new series with commentary on the CoVid19 Pandemic from a biblical perspective and talking the next few weeks about turning the posture of our hearts to fasting and prayer. Today, we will look at how perfect love casts out fear and how turning our hearts to receive God’s Perfect Love helps us to in turn love others well. Show Transcript: You are listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. We exist to empower the voices of women who live their lives #BloomingAlive through Podcast Community. Now, here is your host. Blooming Inspired Podcast equipping and empowering the voices of women who live their lives Blooming Alive. Introduction Good Morning! This is Michelle Bentham, host of Blooming Inspired Podcast. Review Over the last 6 weeks we’ve been having a conversation with Karen Dearmand Gardener sharing her testimony about walking out of a 30 year marriage where she suffered Domestic Abuse and Violence, and how God spent the last 15 years redeeming her past and her pain as she has learned to heal and overcome those years of trauma and abuse. Be sure to keep up with Karen and the publication of her book on the subject scheduled for publication in 2021. Her Facebook Page is: facebook.com/crackthesilence This Week’s Reading Let’s Pray, Father God, I ask that you would give each person within the sound of my voice eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to know you more. I pray that every person would encounter your living presence and power through the Scriptures today and that as we do we would be changed by them. Let our hearts be inspired to believe for more, to live for more and to experience more so your glory may be known upon the earth. Give us eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart to know! I ask these things in Jesus’ Precious Name, AMEN. The title for this episode and series is “Fasting & Prayer” It comes from Daniel 9:3 (ESV) “Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.” Today we’re going to look at this posture of Fasting & Prayer represented in Daniel’s prayers throughout the book that bears his name. A posture of mourning, solitude and prayer where he allowed himself to be afflicted in order to draw near to God. Before we jump into Scripture I’d like to speak a bit on the CoVid19 Pandemic and just how I plan to spend my days in solitude as we watch for God’s healing power to overcome this deadly disease and bring peace and healing to all the people afflicted by it’s symptoms. I’ve been watching the “panic button” type fears as our stores are emptying with shoppers stocking up on anything and everything concerned about quarantines, and reading the posts of individuals who are living in what is now more than 50 days of isolation in Wuhan. Watching the “Flash Mob” on balconies in Italy and the ever darkening reports of increasing numbers of those who are testing positive, being hospitalized and the climbing death toll. I returned home with my husband last Friday night after going to the store to pick up groceries to get us through a couple of weeks and wept in his arms. Not because I am afraid, but because I am dismayed. Dismayed by people so selfish in their thinking that they would buy up all the toilet paper in the county daily. I mean really, toilet paper? I understand staple food products like bottled water, powdered milk or juice concentrates, flour, sugar, rice, beans, milk, cheese, bulk meats like ground beef, chicken and sausage. But the first thing to disappear is toilet paper? Dismayed by the mainstream media and Fox News for their fear mongering, politicizing and downright irresponsible reporting. Everything is exaggerated, dramatized and criticized. It is crazy out there. And as I felt myself spinning with all this dismay, wrapped in my husband’s arms - we prayed. I turned my heart to God, the Father whom I affectionately call Poppa, and I wept over the state of the people around me, and prayed for my family and those I love, my community, city, state nation and the entire world who is so affected by this pandemic: a word that has given much anxiety and fear in recent days. I wanted to take a moment to read a few posts from Facebook to you. Two of my own and one of the woman I read about in Wuhan. Rebecca Franks posted: March 8 at 1:42 AM WUHAN. It's roughly day 48 of the city's quarantine. We've been locked in our apartment complex for many weeks. I haven't eaten out since January 19. We're living in such strange times. After my last post, which was all about locks on doors and further restrictions, my husband asked me if I've posted any of the good. But...but... well, but nothing. That convicted me. So from the epicenter of the coronavirus, here is just SOME of the good we have been experiencing because of the lockdown: (Be warned - there is no way this post could be short.) Our family life has never been better. Usually one weekend is long enough before I'm ready to send each of us back to school or work. But for SEVEN weeks, we've been home together with very little outside influences or distraction, forced to reconnect with one another, learn how to communicate better, give each other space, slow down our pace, and be a stronger family than ever before. We've learned how to accept help from others. During this time, we've HAD to rely on others to show us how to get food and other things we need. People here are so good, and they want to help. It's satisfying to accept the help. Shopping is so much easier now. It comes straight to our complex, and we just pick it up. Simple. Right now I hear birds outside my window (on the 25th floor). I used to think there weren't really birds in Wuhan, because you rarely saw them and never heard them. I now know they were just muted and crowded out by the traffic and people. All day long now I hear birds singing. It stops me in my tracks to hear the sound of their wings. Spring in Wuhan is absolutely stunning. God has been giving us glimpses of the beauty to come with near-perfect weather. Because of lockdown, we get to watch spring slowly unfold right in front of us with no work, traffic, pollution, or other distractions. I have pulled up my chair and am ready for the creator's show. My cooking has gotten way more creative. I'm cooking like a homesteader. Housekeeping hasn't suffered, either. We take naps in the middle of the day sometimes. We've all been reading so much more than before. I've reconnected with lots of old friends. We've talked with our families more than ever before. We still work and do school, but all from home and all on flexible hours. It is not perfect, but it is fairly productive and good. We are exercising more. Because we borrowed a rowing machine from school right before the lockdown, Edgar Franks has been rowing regularly at home and has lost several kilos already. I still walk in the morning as usual, but I do so with no time restrictions and now with friend Erika Carlson. In my yoga world, I have finally done a forearm stand. I also share goofy yoga photos each day with a local friend/yogi. This keeps us connected in spirit and movement. I could devote a whole post to the amazing community we've been blessed with because of this lockdown. We live near 4 other staff members, most of whom we didn't know well at all prior to this. Because of this quarantine, we have bonded with and supported each other in ways that I've never experienced in 9 years of living here. (Crowd sourcing for feminine products and coffee, creatively sharing overstock of carrots and squash, etc) Friday night, we four staff women celebrated Julia Marie Roehrkasse's birthday together. We four have never before been together without husbands, kids, or larger community. But that night, I felt like I won the lottery in the friendship department. Our gathering was genuine in a way that can only be shared by people who are experiencing the same thing at the same time and understand what each other are going through. This bond we have may lessen when our world gets back to normal, but for now I wouldn't trade it for anything. It is good. My prayer life has never been better and my study time has been much more real. I have quiet time that is actually (usually) quiet - and I can devote real time to it. Most days I have so much more time to think, to listen, to process, and to discover. I am discovering the good gifts that God has given me and my family. More than anything, I am bowled over by his goodness at every turn. He overwhelms me with his goodness. We had "church" by Zoom this morning at 10:30, as usual. My husband just woke up from his nap. My kid is reading quietly on the couch. I have the luxury of writing uncensored here on FB. We are about to go pick up a ham that a friend is giving us, taking her our coffee and cranberries to share. God is providing so many opportunities for good while we are here, and he is showing us his goodness every single moment. We are at peace in the epicenter of the virus. We are at peace in the epicenter of his will. Fear is a faithless coward and has no place in the lives of believers. Fear and worry have no seat at our table. We're here because he wants us here, right now, for his purpose. Coronavirus wants you to isolate and stock up and take care of your own first. Instead, look to him first while you take care of others. In community, we can do so much more than we can do on our own. God is caring for us so richly and showering us with SO MUCH GOOD each and every moment. And the song just plays nonstop in my head - Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God. It chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the 99. I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away. Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God. Psalm 118:6 - The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? Pray.” And my response was to consider in all this what I am grateful for in spite of all that dismays me in this world. And so I also wrote, after putting the groceries away and reading Rebecca’s post at 12:08 am March 14, 2020: I don't know what else I have to offer, but I'm offering Jesus and gratitude tonight. For a Good God still in the miracle business. Grateful for friends and family to share life with. That Scott and I have life's necessities tonight. Food, Clothing, Shelter Community and Family. I'm grateful for the conversations we had with our girls this week planning for our first grandbaby and other milestones that are just too good and joyful... But cannot yet be spoken of in public. I'm grateful for the privilege of taking my nearly 75 yo Momma to the gym and shopping for workout clothes which have not disappeared from the store racks this week. I'm grateful for air to breathe and that another day to awaken to life is another day to reach into the lives of others with Jesus' truly good news!!! I'm letting you know He came to save you, but that's not all... He also came to transform you, heal you, deliver you, set you free, equip you, empower you, and to give you His joy, His peace, His love, His life and His abundance. Nothing in life scares me when I remember Who He is, all He has promised, all He has done and all He will come back to finish this with us!!! Do you know Him? Yes, I'm grateful for Him most of all. Nothing is impossible for those who believe!!! And all those things He will do for you - He wants to do through you in the lives of other people. "In this world you will have trouble, but take heart for I have overcome the world." - Jesus (John 16:33) "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything through prayer and petition - with thanksgiving - make your requests known to God, and His peace which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." - Apostle Paul (Philippians 4:6-7) He is love. Love casts out fear. Love Never fails. Take heart indeed. March 14 at 9:08 am As I become more and more dismayed by humanity... I have one hope: Jesus multiplied the loaves and fishes in His disciples hands. He is the God of more than enough. Praying for peace and rest over you today as we watch our world feeding a hysterical panic. Let's get better at expressing the only Love that saves. "God is Perfect Love. There is no fear in love... Perfect Love casts out ALL Fear." -The Apostle John (1John 4) Now for today’s reading, found in 1 John 4, The New King James Version (NKJV) The heading for Chapter Four Reads: Love for God & One Another Verses 1-3: Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world. As I have been praying over this virus God began to show me the governments of this world that oppose Him and operate in an Anti-Christ Spirit. He bid me pray for these government leaders and for the repentance of nations, especially governmental leaders who oppose Him. Many of these countries have been heavily afflicted by this virus. Now mind you, I’m not saying the people are of the Anti-Christ spirit - but the governments oppose God through the Anti-Christ Spirit. China, North Korea, Iran, Italy - except for Italy the other three countries oppose Jesus Christ as the Son of God. They persecute believers and seek to destroy anything that opposes their government, especially Jews and Christians - and in China, more recently Muslims. And in Italy the Pope recently met with a leader of the Islamic faith and agreed to an accord that stated that whether one serves the God of the Bible or the God of the Koran, Allah, that we serve the same God. How does that ring to you? And now CoVid19, also known as the Coronavirus, has spread to the United States of America where the church has largely surrendered her influence to the government, expecting the government to do for us what God has called us to do in Him. In case you’ve missed it, our government is failing miserably at honoring God in most every way these days. Even with President Trump, who allows for weekly worship and prayer. Who is standing by faith to protect religious freedoms and calling the nation to prayer. Still. Failing. Why? Anything we put our faith in that is not God, will surely fail us. It has to - or else why would we need God. We can buy every roll of toilet paper in the world, and still not save ourselves or our family from this deadly virus. We should remember that God’s adversary Satan is one whom Jesus called a liar, the Father of lies actually, and Satan trafficks in scarcity, lack and fear as he rules this world - the prince of the air, with authority from God - as he comes to kill, steal and destroy. But, my question is… Will you let him win this battle? Will you give in to fear, scarcity and lack - allowing Him to steal from you, to destroy those around you and even seek to take the lives of those you love? Or, Are you willing to take your position, stand your watch upon God’s wall and not give Him rest day or night until He makes this nation, every nation for that matter, a praise declaring His glory upon the earth. (Isaiah 62) You see the Coronavirus may seem new, but it’s been around since the mid- 1960s when it was first identified. The CoVid19 strain may be more potent than previous strains, but it is not new. And the enemy of God is using it to destroy people. The world has turned further and further away from God because the church has not risen to the occasion. We are right now in a moment where the clarion call of Heaven is for the church to rise up and take her place. Reclaiming for God the nations, the people, she is called to preach the Gospel to and make disciples of… The nations she serves. God is calling His Church to rise in this hour above the fear and the dismay, into a place of battle. Do you have your armor on? When I say none of this is new: Think about it… John likely wrote these books toward the end of his life. Many date the writing to between 70-90 AD. And John writes during the end of the first century that the Anti-Christ Spirit had already been released in the world. The Anti-Christ spirit has been opposing God and His people for generation after generation. And we’re still here. We may be barely breathing, but if we’re breathing He will strengthen us for the fight. Verse 4: You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. Do you hear that beloved of God? If you are in Christ, you are of God - His Children - and you have already overcome them. How? Jesus. HE is in YOU. And He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. Amen? Verses 5-6: They are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and the world hears them. We are of God. He who knows God hears us; he who is not of God does not hear us. By this we know the spirit of truth and the spirit of error. We have to be careful what we agree with, partner with and confess with our mouth. We are of God. And He is about to tell us what part of fear we should have… Where we line up will tell us if we believe in truth or in the lies of the enemy who is seeking to devour us. Heading: Knowing God Through Love Verse 7-10: Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (meaning the substitutionary sacrifice that paid the price) for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. God’s love is identified by the Greek word, agapē (Strong’s G26) which is most commonly translated simply love, but may also be translated as benevolence - a word commonly associated with charity - but herein actually refers to the sacrificial nature of God who is love. A love so lavish we may feast upon it. Some say it is the highest form of love, a love that desires the very best for others and pursues that best on their behalf - sacrificing itself, believing the best, expressing affection and kindness, bearing up in patience, refusing to be rude, never jealous of - but jealous for, a love free of envy, boasting, anger or the like. 1 Corinthians 13 concludes it’s ode to love saying, “Love bears all things, believe all things, hopes all things. Love Never Fails.” If God is love - HE NEVER FAILS. Do you get that? Why should we fear if we belong to God? He will not fail us. He is love - He sacrifices so we can experience Him as love. That is a beautiful thing to consider. Heading: Seeing God Through Love… Do You See God through Love? Verse 12-16: No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. First of all, I would be remiss if I didn’t seize this opportunity to ask… Have you confessed Jesus as the Son of God, who died as the sacrifice paying the price for your sins? Well, beloved, no time like the present. If you want a relationship with Jesus and to surrender to him as Love, then today’s the day. Just confess with your mouth what you believe in your heart (See Romans 8:9-10). “Lord God, I believe that Jesus is your only Son who died on a cross for my sins and rose in power to be the Lord of my life. Today I surrender myself to your love, fill me with your eternal life and your holy spirit.” That’s it… now all you have to do is learn to abide in Him as Love and be an expression of that love to the world around you. Isn’t that good news? Do you know God, do you see Him as love? Not just a God who loves, but our God who is Love. That’s a capital L. It was His love for us that compelled the Father to send the Son to die on a cross for us. It was His love for us and His Father that compelled Christ to the Cross to willingly die on our behalf. Jesus died so we don’t have to live in eternal punishment, separated from God for sin. And if we know Him and abide in Him then we abide in love. Now let me ask you, How are you doing at abiding in love? Sacrificing on behalf of others so they may know Love, too. Heading: The Consummation of Love Verse 17-19: Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. The Love that is God is consummated in us when it casts out all FEAR. Fear involves torment, but when God comes to us as Perfect Love - it casts out all fear. Not some, not part - but all. If I am responding and reacting in panic to fear then I am not abiding in God who is perfect love. Do you get that? I cannot possibly love others selflessly without first abiding in the only Sacrificial love there is the Love who is God, Himself. The Common English Bible (CEB) renders verse 18 this way: “ There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear expects punishment. The person who is afraid has not been made perfect in love.” And if I give place to fear, allowing anxiety and worry to keep me from abiding in God, then I am living in fear. You see, fear is not of God because it is not God’s desire to punish us. He will chasten those He loves to teach us discipline - the root word of discipline is disciple. But, He will not willingly bring harm to us or torment us with fear. It is not in His nature. To fear God is to live in awe of His glory, to be reverent of His holiness, and to honor Him as Good. But, this fear is not the same as fear of punishment or torment. A healthy caution and a holy reverence are often called fear, but in fact they are true wisdom. A healthy caution understands that danger and evil exist in this world and lives proactively pursuing God in reverence, walking in His wisdom and love - which casts out fear. When we live with the wisdom of healthy caution and holy reverence - fear will have no place in our lives because the Spirit of God - the Holy Spirit - who lives inside of us will guide us into all truth when we yield ourselves to Him. When we love God, we yield ourselves to Him which brings us to our conclusion. Heading: Obedience by Faith Verse 20-21: If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also. Bill Johnson is the Senior Leader of Bethel Church in Redding, CA. My friend, Tracy, and I have been to Bethel for prophetic and healing schools and follow their services regularly online. She reminds me often of something that Bill says, “Obedience is the love language of the Holy Spirit.” To walk in fear is to walk in disobedience to the love of God. Do you see that? To walk in hatred toward others, to mock them or believe deception and live by it - confess it - means you do not live in obedience to the Love of God. I mentioned 1 Corinthians 13 earlier and here is how the Apostle Paul defined love: “Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up...Until then, there are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love—yet love surpasses them all. So above all else, let love be the beautiful prize for which you run.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 13 TPT) You see if I am going to love as God loves, I have to first live in Him as Love. And as He lives in me, and expresses Himself through me - when I yield myself to His perfect love - only then will I be loving others with incredible patience, through gentle and consistent kindness to ALL, not just believers, but everyone - even those who despise me, insult me, persecute me and seek my life - ALL. Only then will I be able to refuse jealousy when I see the blessing in other people’s lives. Only then will I not be concerned with bragging about my achievements or inflating myself in self-promotion or importance, but rather I will bow low, and humbly serve even if I am never recognized. I will gladly promote others and their welfare beyond my own. If I live in the Perfect Love that is God, and that Love abides in me then I will not traffic in shame or disrespect toward others, nor selfishly seek my own honor. I will not be easily irritated or angered, and will not be quick to take offense. YOU SEE.. Love joyfully celebrates honesty and doesn’t glory when others or even itself is found wrong. When I walk in God’s Love toward others I become a safe place of shelter, never failing to believe the best for others. I never take failure as a sign of defeat, and I never give up! Paul assures us that in the end three things will remain: faith, hope and love - and LOVE will be what surpasses them all. So let’s do it friends. Let’s overcome the present evil, and this plague of Coronavirus with Love - for it is the most beautiful prize we run toward. Jesus Himself, our God is Love. I pray over the next week you’ll find yourself fasting from judgments, criticisms and fear as you turn your heart toward Perfect Love and become an expression of that love to everyone around you! Poppa God, we come today humbled by your words of exhortation toward perfect love. Make us vessels of your perfect love, and turn our hearts to dwell in you, the God who is Perfect love. Keep our minds from anxious and worried thoughts, keep our hearts set on you and your perfect love through these trying days, seeking ways to sacrificially love others more than we love ourselves. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Closing Remarks Thank you for tuning in with us. I pray this is some encouragement to you as you seek to set your heart in a posture of love through this grievous time of solitude, mourning and despair. May His joy be complete in you and you walk in His steadfast love for you. Next week we’ll dig deeper into this idea of turning our hearts to God, grieving over the state of His people and our communities as we seek His face in Fasting & Prayer. I also want to ask you if this podcast has been a blessing to you: would you consider subscribing to it and share it with your friends and family? We’d love to partner with you in sharing messages that encourage and inspire. If you’d like to be a guest on this show or get more information about hosting your own podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network - please reach out to [email protected]. I’d love the opportunity to connect with you and figure out how we can share your voice with the world around us. Join Us Through Facebook Live for Bible Study on Saturday at 10am (CT)! We’ll continue reading Luke 14 this week and digging into the life of Christ Verse-By-Verse considering what we would believe if reading the Scriptures was the primary way we inform our faith! You can learn more and catch up on last week’s study by visiting facebook.com/bloominginspired. If you need encouragement of any kind, prayer or would just like to stay connected with us here at Blooming Inspired Network, please reach out by visiting us on Facebook, @BloomingInspired or bloominginspirednetwork.com and click the Direct Message or Contact link at the top of the page. We’d love to join hands with you in this season and lift you up. If you’d like to get this podcast delivered to your smart device, we're available on both Apple and Google Podcasts - take a moment to Subscribe and leave a review today! Thank you for listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. This show airs weekly on Tuesdays. Please take a moment to like, share and subscribe to this podcast. To learn more about this podcast and it’s network, or the ministries of Blooming Inspired Network please visit BloomingInspiredNetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page.

This week Michelle concludes the conversation with part five of her interview with Karen De Armond Gardner, who is living her life #bloomingalive and victorious over past abuse she suffered in her previous 30 year marriage. Next week is our last episode with Karen so be sure to stay connected by clicking the Facebook link below or visiting her website: https://crackthesilence.com.  Karen is an overcomer! She lives her life cracking the silence on domestic abuse with her upcoming book as she continues to champion other women who have suffered domestic violence and are finding their way to healing with God. Learn more about Karen and her journey at https://facebook.com/crackthesilence If you are suffering domestic violence in your relationship and are in need of immediate assistance please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224. https://thehotline.org (No Show Transcript) Thank you for listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. This show airs weekly on Tuesdays. Please take a moment to like, share and subscribe to this podcast. To learn more about this podcast and it’s network, or the ministries of Blooming Inspired Network please visit BloomingInspiredNetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page.

This week Michelle continues the conversation with part four of her interview with Karen De Armond Gardner, who is living her life #bloomingalive and victorious over past abuse she suffered in her previous 30 year marriage. Next week is our last episode with Karen so be sure to stay connected by clicking the Facebook link below or visiting her website: https://crackthesilence.com.  If you are suffering domestic violence in your relationship and are in need of immediate assistance please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224. https://thehotline.org (No Show Transcript) Thank you for listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. This show airs weekly on Tuesdays. Please take a moment to like, share and subscribe to this podcast. To learn more about this podcast and it’s network, or the ministries of Blooming Inspired Network please visit BloomingInspiredNetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page.

This week Michelle continues the conversation with part three of her conversation with Karen De Armond Gardner, who is living her life #bloomingalive and victorious over past abuse she suffered in her previous 30 year marriage. We will be talking to Karen throughout the month of February on Blooming Inspired Podcast, so stay tuned each Tuesday to hear more of her amazing story as God brought her out of the shadows of abuse into the glorious light of His love, joy and hope. Karen is an overcomer! She lives her life cracking the silence on domestic abuse with her upcoming book as she continues to champion other women who have suffered domestic violence and are finding their way to healing with God. Learn more about Karen and her journey at https://facebook.com/crackthesilence If you are suffering domestic violence in your relationship and are in need of immediate assistance please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224. https://thehotline.org (No Show Transcript) Thank you for listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. This show airs weekly on Tuesdays. Please take a moment to like, share and subscribe to this podcast. To learn more about this podcast and it’s network, or the ministries of Blooming Inspired Network please visit BloomingInspiredNetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page.

This week Michelle continues the conversation with part two of her conversation with Karen De Armond Gardner, who is living her life #bloomingalive and victorious over past abuse she suffered in her previous 30 year marriage. We will be talking to Karen throughout the month of February on Blooming Inspired Podcast, so stay tuned each Tuesday to hear more of her amazing story as God brought her out of the shadows of abuse into the glorious light of His love, joy and hope. Karen is an overcomer! She lives her life cracking the silence on domestic abuse with her upcoming book as she continues to champion other women who have suffered domestic violence and are finding their way to healing with God. Learn more about Karen and her journey at https://facebook.com/crackthesilence If you are suffering domestic violence in your relationship and are in need of immediate assistance please contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224. https://thehotline.org (No Show Transcript) Thank you for listening to the Blooming Inspired Podcast on the Blooming Inspired Podcast Network. This show airs weekly on Tuesdays. Please take a moment to like, share and subscribe to this podcast. To learn more about this podcast and it’s network, or the ministries of Blooming Inspired Network please visit BloomingInspiredNetwork.com and click the podcast link at the top of the page.